US8991782B2 - Device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes - Google Patents

Device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes Download PDF

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Publication number
US8991782B2
US8991782B2 US13/992,047 US201113992047A US8991782B2 US 8991782 B2 US8991782 B2 US 8991782B2 US 201113992047 A US201113992047 A US 201113992047A US 8991782 B2 US8991782 B2 US 8991782B2
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Prior art keywords
chamber
sector
fluid
control valve
sliding body
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US13/992,047
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US20130319560A1 (en
Inventor
Lorenzo Bormioli
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MIB Italiana SpA
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MIB Italiana SpA
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L29/00—Joints with fluid cut-off means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/10—Means for stopping flow from or in pipes or hoses
    • F16L55/1007—Couplings closed automatically when broken
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/10—Means for stopping flow from or in pipes or hoses
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/1624—Destructible or deformable element controlled
    • Y10T137/1632—Destructible element
    • Y10T137/1654—Separable valve coupling or conduit
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/87917—Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
    • Y10T137/87925—Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/9029—With coupling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for transferring pipes of fluid products, in particular petroleum products which include the automatic separation of the tubes themselves in case of strong axial traction stress and/or sudden high pressure.
  • connection units of the tubes themselves which consist of two separable parts, each provided with a respective control valve which automatically closes upon separation to limit the spillage of product into the sea, with consequent less pollution of the same.
  • connection units are positioned on the part of the flexible tube positioned in the sea and have the primary objective of protecting the tube, and, more in general, the connection line, in case of anomalous situations which cause excessive pulling on the tube or excessive pressure on the line.
  • Such anomalous situations may be: tanker, or, more in general, petroleum installation (FPSO) which breaks away and drifts off, rough sea causing traction on the tube beyond the limits, boat knocking into the tube dragging it away and creating excessive loads on the same, rapid closing of the downstream flow valve or any other reason causing excessive axial load and/or pressure increase.
  • FPSO petroleum installation
  • control units currently available are made so that the control valves are closed after the separation of the two parts of the connection unit automatically, i.e. without control by an operator in the aforesaid situations.
  • Separable connection units which comprise fluid control valves of the variable sector type, i.e. formed by a plurality of slices or petals, which are made to turn between an opening position, in which the slices or petals are substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the petroleum product, and a closing position, in which the slices or petals converge transversally to the axis of the unit to completely block the flow of product.
  • the movement from the opening position to the closing position occurs under the bias of elastic means when appropriate withholding means, e.g. an inner axially removable sleeve, cease to exert the withholding action following the axial traction stress impressed on the connection unit.
  • Fluid dynamic brakes e.g. cylinders subjected to the pressure of the fluid product present in the tube, appropriately slow down the closing speed of the upstream valve to avoid excessive pressure, called water hammer, determined by the thrust of the elastic means and of the pressurized fluid.
  • the known fluid dynamic brakes comprise reduced section passage ducts which have the drawback of getting obstructed by effect of the dirt present in the brake fluid.
  • a device characterized in that it comprises, for every sector of the control valve upstream of the direction of the fluid flow, a slidable body operating on said valve sector to cause closing and opening rotation thereof, elastic means housed in a first chamber to activate said sliding body in a direction suitable to cause the closing rotation of said valve sector, a braking fluid housed in a second chamber to brake the movement of said sliding body in the closing direction of said valve sector and fluid dynamic communication means between said chambers to permit the controlled transfer of said braking fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber during the movement of said sliding body in the direction of closure of said valve sector, said fluid dynamic communication means comprising a cartridge element inserted in an axial housing of the sliding body and defining therewith an external passage duct of the braking fluid which has a helical shape with variable extension according to the required closing speed of said valve sector.
  • the aforesaid helical portion of the cartridge element makes it possible to obtain a valid braking effect with much larger passage duct section, which cannot be obstructed in practice by the dirt present in the braking fluid.
  • FIG. 1 shows the whole, partially sectioned in axial direction, of a connection unit for flexible tubes which includes automatic dosing devices of the control valves;
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the control valve upstream of the connection unit in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the control valve downstream of the connection unit in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail, sectioned as shown in FIG. 1 , of a device according to the present invention, used for closing a rotational sector of the control valve upstream of the connection unit in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 shows the same device during the step of closing of the aforesaid rotational sector
  • FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail, sectioned in axial direction, of a device used for closing a rotational sector of the control valve downstream of the connection unit in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 shows the device in FIG. 6 during the step of closing of the aforesaid rotational sector
  • FIG. 8-10 show possible embodiments of the regulation cartridge of the closing speed of the rotational sectors of the upstream control valve.
  • FIG. 1 shows a connection unit for flexible tubes, which comprises two separable parts or bodies 1 and 2 , respectively, upstream and downstream in the direction of flow of the transported fluid product.
  • the two parts 1 and 2 are connected by burst screws 3 , which in case of strong traction stress (equal to or higher than the setting load) break making it possible to separate the two parts.
  • a cylindrical sliding sleeve 4 ( FIG. 1 ), which is automatically and axially removable from the connection unit when the two parts of the unit are separated, is arranged in the connection unit.
  • the cylindrical sleeve 4 normally maintains two rotational sector valves 5 - 5 ′ in the opening position, each of which consists of two series of petals or slices 6 - 7 and 6 ′- 7 ′ of different dimensions, which can rotate about respective axes 8 - 8 ′ between the opening position of the FIGS. 1-4 and 6 and the closing position in FIGS. 5 and 7 .
  • Each rotational sector 6 - 7 of the control valve 5 located upstream in the direction of flow of the fluid product is rotational about the axis 8 thereof under the basis of a respective automatically closing device, indicated by reference numeral 9 as a whole.
  • Each device 9 comprises within a containment body 10 - 11 , a fixed body 12 and a mobile body 13 axially sliding with respect to the fixed body 12 ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ).
  • a first chamber 14 is defined inside the fixed body 12 which extends within a first part of the mobile body 13 to the transversal wall 15 , which abuts against a control heel 16 of a respective rotational sector 6 - 7 of the control valve.
  • a helical spring 17 is housed within the first chamber 14 , which can extend from the compressed configuration in FIG.
  • a second chamber 18 is defined on the opposite end of the sliding body 13 in which braking fluid, of approximately chosen viscosity, is normally accommodated.
  • the two chambers 14 and 18 communicate by means of a passage duct 19 , which has an widened inlet part 20 in which a flow speed regulation cartridge 21 is inserted, which has a cylindrical part 22 on an inlet side 23 provided with a helical external groove 24 . Examples of cartridges 21 with different extensions of the external grooves 24 are shown in FIG. 8-10 .
  • the described communication between the chambers 14 and 18 has the effect of causing the leakage of braking fluid from chamber 18 to chamber 14 during the movement of the sliding body 13 from the position in FIG. 4 to that in FIG. 5 , caused by the thrust of the spring 17 in absence of the sleeve 4 and, during the closing rotation of the valve sectors 6 - 7 , by the pressurized fluid which flows through the union part 1 .
  • the passage of braking fluid slows down the closing speed of the valve avoiding abrupt impacts which could damage the rotational sectors of the valve itself. Sudden increases of pressure, known as water hammers, are thus avoided.
  • the passage speed, and thus the closing speed of the single rotation petals depends on the section of the passage duct 19 , the diameter of the cylinder part 22 of the cartridges 21 and the extension of the helical external grooves 24 of the cartridges 21 and may be modified by replacing the cartridges with others of different diameter and with different grooves. It is thus possible to envisage the use of cartridges of one type for rotational sectors 6 and cartridges of another type for rotational sectors 7 , so as to determine different rotation speeds and thus closing speeds of the single sectors of the valve 5 . This has the purpose of having a closure which limits the exit of product to the maximum during the closing of the rotation sectors or petals of the control valve, thus limiting the pressure peak generated by the water hammer to acceptable levels.
  • the rotational sectors 6 ′- 7 ′ of the control valve 5 ′ downstream of the direction of flow of the fluids are, in turn, provided with automatic closing devices 9 ′ which similarly have fixed bodies 12 ′, sliding bodies 13 ′ and normally compressed springs 17 ′ which through the heels 16 ′ determine the rotation, and thus the automatic closure, of the various rotational sectors 6 - 7 of the valve 5 ′ in case of removal of the sleeve 4 .
  • a braking effect similar to that determined by the passage of braking fluid from chamber 18 to chamber 14 is missing instead. The braking effect is indeed determined by the pressurized fluid present in the union part 2 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
  • Details Of Valves (AREA)
  • Pipe Accessories (AREA)
  • Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US13/992,047 2010-12-06 2011-10-25 Device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes Active 2032-02-27 US8991782B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI2010A002247 2010-12-06
ITMI2010A002247A IT1402917B1 (it) 2010-12-06 2010-12-06 Dispositivo per la chiusura automatica di valvole di controllo in unità di collegamento separabili per tubi flessibili.
ITMI2010A2247 2010-12-06
PCT/EP2011/068633 WO2012076240A1 (en) 2010-12-06 2011-10-25 Device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130319560A1 US20130319560A1 (en) 2013-12-05
US8991782B2 true US8991782B2 (en) 2015-03-31

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US13/992,047 Active 2032-02-27 US8991782B2 (en) 2010-12-06 2011-10-25 Device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes

Country Status (19)

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US (1) US8991782B2 (zh)
EP (1) EP2649359B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP5810169B2 (zh)
KR (1) KR101938786B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN103270361B (zh)
BR (1) BR112013014040B8 (zh)
CY (1) CY1116825T1 (zh)
DK (1) DK2649359T3 (zh)
ES (1) ES2548687T3 (zh)
HR (1) HRP20151070T1 (zh)
HU (1) HUE025474T2 (zh)
IT (1) IT1402917B1 (zh)
ME (1) ME02197B (zh)
MY (1) MY165228A (zh)
PL (1) PL2649359T3 (zh)
PT (1) PT2649359E (zh)
RS (1) RS54295B1 (zh)
SI (1) SI2649359T1 (zh)
WO (1) WO2012076240A1 (zh)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2774003C1 (ru) * 2021-11-26 2022-06-14 Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Сибирский федеральный университет" Устройство для управления потоком рабочего агента

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITMI20120695A1 (it) * 2012-04-26 2013-10-27 Mib Italiana Spa Valvola di controllo a petali per unita' di collegamento separabili per tubi flessibili.
ITMI20120693A1 (it) * 2012-04-26 2013-10-27 Mib Italiana Spa Valvola di controllo con coppie di petali di diversa forma e dimensioni e con differenti velocita' di chiusura per unita' di collegamento separabili per tubi flessibili.
ITMI20120694A1 (it) 2012-04-26 2013-10-27 Mib Italiana Spa Valvola di controllo a petali con guarnizione di tenuta per unita' di collegamento separabili per tubi flessibili.

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2798561A (en) * 1954-12-21 1957-07-09 Exxon Research Engineering Co Blowout preventer for wells
FR1429668A (fr) 1965-03-31 1966-02-25 Emco Brass Mfg Company Ltd Dispositif de sécurité, en particulier pour conduite de transport de fluide
US4127142A (en) 1977-05-11 1978-11-28 James Allen Snider Slow close hydrant check valve
US4326555A (en) 1978-02-04 1982-04-27 Gall Thomson Maritime Limited Breakaway coupling
US4860991A (en) * 1989-04-06 1989-08-29 Camco, Incorporated Safety valve
US4986357A (en) * 1990-04-09 1991-01-22 Pringle Ronald E Well tool having a variable area hydraulic actuator
US5293943A (en) * 1991-07-05 1994-03-15 Halliburton Company Safety valve, sealing ring and seal assembly
US5318127A (en) * 1992-08-03 1994-06-07 Halliburton Company Surface controlled annulus safety system for well bores
ITMI20092146A1 (it) 2009-12-04 2011-06-05 Mib Italiana Spa Unità di collegamento per tubi flessibili con chiusura automatica di valvole di controllo ed eventuale successiva separazione automatica dei tubi suddetti in caso di forte sollecitazione a trazione assiale e/o improvvisa alta pressione.

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4119111A (en) 1976-06-28 1978-10-10 Aeroquip Corporation Frangible hose end fitting
WO1981003690A1 (en) 1980-06-16 1981-12-24 Gall Thomson Maritime Ltd Breakaway coupling
JPS5973687A (ja) * 1982-10-20 1984-04-25 株式会社新潟鐵工所 流体荷役ラインの緊急離脱遮断装置
JPS62110097A (ja) * 1985-11-08 1987-05-21 今井　淳 流体制御装置
CN2421474Y (zh) * 2000-04-18 2001-02-28 马有江 一种自力式流量控制阀

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2798561A (en) * 1954-12-21 1957-07-09 Exxon Research Engineering Co Blowout preventer for wells
FR1429668A (fr) 1965-03-31 1966-02-25 Emco Brass Mfg Company Ltd Dispositif de sécurité, en particulier pour conduite de transport de fluide
US4127142A (en) 1977-05-11 1978-11-28 James Allen Snider Slow close hydrant check valve
US4326555A (en) 1978-02-04 1982-04-27 Gall Thomson Maritime Limited Breakaway coupling
US4860991A (en) * 1989-04-06 1989-08-29 Camco, Incorporated Safety valve
US4986357A (en) * 1990-04-09 1991-01-22 Pringle Ronald E Well tool having a variable area hydraulic actuator
US5293943A (en) * 1991-07-05 1994-03-15 Halliburton Company Safety valve, sealing ring and seal assembly
US5318127A (en) * 1992-08-03 1994-06-07 Halliburton Company Surface controlled annulus safety system for well bores
ITMI20092146A1 (it) 2009-12-04 2011-06-05 Mib Italiana Spa Unità di collegamento per tubi flessibili con chiusura automatica di valvole di controllo ed eventuale successiva separazione automatica dei tubi suddetti in caso di forte sollecitazione a trazione assiale e/o improvvisa alta pressione.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2774003C1 (ru) * 2021-11-26 2022-06-14 Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Сибирский федеральный университет" Устройство для управления потоком рабочего агента

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2014505210A (ja) 2014-02-27
HRP20151070T1 (hr) 2015-11-20
WO2012076240A1 (en) 2012-06-14
SI2649359T1 (sl) 2015-11-30
IT1402917B1 (it) 2013-09-27
BR112013014040A2 (pt) 2016-09-13
DK2649359T3 (en) 2015-10-05
JP5810169B2 (ja) 2015-11-11
US20130319560A1 (en) 2013-12-05
BR112013014040B8 (pt) 2020-08-11
ITMI20102247A1 (it) 2012-06-07
CN103270361B (zh) 2015-03-18
ES2548687T3 (es) 2015-10-20
PL2649359T3 (pl) 2015-12-31
ME02197B (me) 2016-02-20
PT2649359E (pt) 2015-10-22
EP2649359B1 (en) 2015-07-08
HUE025474T2 (en) 2016-02-29
CY1116825T1 (el) 2017-03-15
RU2013131030A (ru) 2015-01-20
EP2649359A1 (en) 2013-10-16
RS54295B1 (en) 2016-02-29
CN103270361A (zh) 2013-08-28
BR112013014040B1 (pt) 2020-07-21
MY165228A (en) 2018-03-13
KR101938786B1 (ko) 2019-01-15
KR20140032957A (ko) 2014-03-17

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